Revolutionizing Mental Health Care: The Impact of AI Chatbots

Revolutionizing Mental Health Care: The Impact of AI Chatbots

Authors

Keywords:

AI-driven mental health, HAI principles, Responsible AI, Digital mental health landscape

Abstract

Since 2022, AI chatbots have attracted attention for their use of big data, NLP, and ML algorithms. These entities enhance capabilities, increase productivity, and provide guidance across diverse domains. Human–Artificial Intelligence (HAI) integrates human values into AI, addressing limitations and improving effectiveness. In mental health, AI and ML are integrated into digital solutions to tackle access, stigma, and cost challenges. However, ethical and legal uncertainties surround these technologies. This literature review explores AI chatbots' potential in transforming digital mental health, emphasizing the need for ethical, responsible, and trustworthy AI algorithms. Three key research questions focus on the impact of AI chatbots on technology integration, the balance between benefits and drawbacks, and addressing bias in AI applications. Methodologically, the review involves thorough searches of databases using keywords related to AI chatbots and digital mental health. Rigorously selected peer-reviewed articles and media sources contribute to a comprehensive analysis. In summary, while AI chatbots hold promise in reshaping digital mental health, navigating ethical and practical challenges is crucial. Incorporating HAI principles, responsible regulations, and scoping reviews are essential for maximizing benefits and minimizing risks, with collaborative strategies and contemporary education promoting responsible use and mitigating biases in the digital mental health landscape.

References

Team Capacity. The Complete Guide to AI Chatbots: The Future of AI and Automation. 2023. Available online: https://capacity.com/learn/ai-chatbots/ (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Caldarini, G.; Jaf, S.; McGarry, K. A Literature Survey of Recent Advances in Chatbots. Information 2022, 13, 41. [CrossRef]

Bryant, A. AI Chatbots: Threat or Opportunity? Informatics 2023, 10, 49. [CrossRef]

The Center for Humane Technology. Align Technology with Humanity’s Best Interests. 2023. Available online: https://www. humanetech.com/ (accessed on 19 August 2023).

World Health Organization. Mental Health. 2023. Available online: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab= tab_1 (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. 2021. Available online: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Australian Productivity Commission. Mental Health. 2020. Available online: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/mental-health#report (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Queensland Brain Institute. Life Expectancy Mapped for People with Mental Disorders. 2019. Available online: https://qbi.uq. edu.au/article/2019/10/life-expectancy-mapped-people-mental-disorders (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Clement, S.; Schauman, O.; Graham, T.; Maggioni, F.; Evans-Lacko, S.; Bezborodovs, N.; Morgan, C.; Rüsch, N.; Brown, J.S.L.; Thornicroft, G. What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Psychol. Med. 2015, 45, 11–27. [CrossRef]

Oexle, N.; Müller, M.; Kawohl, W.; Xu, Z.; Viering, S.; Wyss, C.; Vetter, S.; Rüsch, N. Self-stigma as a barrier to recovery: A longitudinal study. Eur. Arch. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2017, 268, 209–212. [CrossRef]

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental Health: Prevalence and Impact. 2022. Available online: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health (accessed on 19 August 2023).

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2018. Available online: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHDetailedTabs2018R2/NSDUHDetTabsSect8 pe2018.htm#tab8-28a (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Wies, B.; Landers, C.; Ienca, M. Digital Mental Health for Young People: A Scoping Review of Ethical Promises and Challenges.

Front. Digit. Health 2021, 3, 697072. [CrossRef]

Iyortsuun, N.K.; Kim, S.-H.; Jhon, M.; Yang, H.-J.; Pant, S. A Review of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Approaches on Mental Health Diagnosis. Healthcare 2023, 11, 285. [CrossRef]

Andreou, A. Generative AI Could Help Solve the U.S. Mental Health Crisis. Psychology Today. Available online: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-doctor-of-the-future/202303/generative-ai-could-help-solve-the-us-mental-health-crisis (accessed on 19 August 2023).

Demiris, G.; Oliver, D.P.; Washington, K.T. The Foundations of Behavioral Intervention Research in Hospice and Palliative Care. In Behavioral Intervention Research in Hospice and Palliative Care; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2019; pp. 17–25. [CrossRef]

Adamopoulou, E.; Moussiades, L. Chatbots: History, technology, and applications. Mach. Learn. Appl. 2020, 2, 100006. [CrossRef]

Haque, M.D.R.; Rubya, S. An Overview of Chatbot-Based Mobile Mental Health Apps: Insights from App Description and User Reviews. JMIR mHealth uHealth 2023, 11, e44838. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Denecke, K.; Abd-Alrazaq, A.; Househ, M. Artificial Intelligence for Chatbots in Mental Health: Opportunities and Challenges. In Multiple Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges; Lecture Notes in Bioengineering; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2021; pp. 115–128. [CrossRef]

Rizvi, M. AI Chatbots Revolutionize Depression Management and Mental Health Support—DATAVERSITY. 2023. Available online: https://www.dataversity.net/ai-chatbots-revolutionize-depression-management-and-mental-health-support/ (accessed on 21 August 2023).

Vaidyam, A.N.; Wisniewski, H.; Halamka, J.D.; Kashavan, M.S.; Torous, J.B. Chatbots and Conversational Agents in Mental Health: A Review of the Psychiatric Landscape. Can. J. Psychiatry 2019, 64, 456–464. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Daley, K.; Hungerbuehler, I.; Cavanagh, K.; Claro, H.G.; Swinton, P.A.; Kapps, M. Preliminary Evaluation of the Engagement and Effectiveness of a Mental Health Chatbot. Front. Digit. Health 2020, 2, 576361. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Inkster, B.; Sarda, S.; Subramanian, V. An Empathy-Driven, Conversational Artificial Intelligence Agent (Wysa) for Digital Mental Well-Being: Real-World Data Evaluation Mixed-Methods Study. JMIR mHealth uHealth 2018, 6, e12106. [CrossRef]

Lim, S.M.; Shiau, C.W.C.; Cheng, L.J.; Lau, Y. Chatbot-Delivered Psychotherapy for Adults with Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression. Behav. Ther. 2022, 53, 334–347. [CrossRef]

Fitzpatrick, K.K.; Darcy, A.; Vierhile, M. Delivering Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Young Adults with Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using a Fully Automated Conversational Agent (Woebot): A Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment. Health 2017, 4, e19. [CrossRef]

Klos, M.C.; Escoredo, M.; Joerin, A.; Lemos, V.N.; Rauws, M.; Bunge, E.L. Artificial Intelligence–Based Chatbot for Anxiety and Depression in University Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Form. Res. 2021, 5, e20678. [CrossRef]

Jang, S.; Kim, J.-J.; Kim, S.-J.; Hong, J.; Kim, S.; Kim, E. Mobile app-based chatbot to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults with attention deficit: A development and feasibility/usability study. Int. J. Med. Inform. 2021, 150, 104440. [CrossRef]

Downloads

Published

2023-04-10

How to Cite

Nelson, O. (2023). Revolutionizing Mental Health Care: The Impact of AI Chatbots. Infotech Journal Scientific and Academic , 4(1), 197–218. Retrieved from https://infotechjournal.org/index.php/infotech/article/view/26

Issue

Section

Articles
Loading...